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Higgins/McDermottroe, Townland of Copse just outside of Boyle

RoscommonBoyle (Roscommon)

I'm the great grandaughter of Patrick Higgins, born 1829 place unknown but could be in County Roscommon or County Sligo. He married Ellen McDermottroe of Copse (townland just West and slightly North outside ofBoyle) in the Roman Catholic church in 1853/54 and had several children born while living in the Boyle area, all baptised in the Roman Catholic church. He was a licensed publican leasing or owning an establishment in Boyle itself.

My Grandfather, Edward, was born (1864) in the house owned by the McDermottroes in Copse, as was his mother, Ellen. At the time of Edward's birth, his father was on his way to the US, arriving in New York. (Records from the Emigrants Savings Bank in New York verify this). His family followed, probably in 1865 and the family then moved West to Illinois.

I do NOT know where Patrick was born, nor do I know the names of any of his immediate family, parents or brothers or sisters, and have finally resorted to the use of DNA in an attempt to locate his family and his birthplace. No luck yet but it is beginning to look like he may have been born in County Sligo around Lough Arrow. I'm told there were also Higgins' in the Lough Gara area as well.

I was able to visit Ireland and stayed in Boyle for a couple of days several years ago. I saw the old house where the McDermottroes lived in Copse (small townland of about 260 acres) and met the father and daughter who were living there. McDermottroes lived there for over 200 years along with Brennans and others. I believe there are/were also McDermottroes in the Felton area but didn't get to meet them.

Pat

3 replies

Hi Pat

There are 2 Patrick Higgins born/baptised 1829 Roscommon on www.rootsireland.ie/ but this is the only 1 from Boyle:

Name:Patrick HigginsDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:27-Feb-1830Address:Not RecordedParish/District:BOYLEGender:MaleCountyCo. Roscommon
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Patrick HigginsMother:Margaret SmythOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Bernard Higgins

There are also 2 from 1826 & 1 from 1824 from Boyle

Col

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Col,

Can you find anything about other children born to Patrick Higgins and Margaret Smyth or anything more about either or both of these people?

Thank you so much for this information.  

Pat

Pat

Pat,

I am pretty sure your McDermottroes and Higgins were neighbours on Boyle's Chapel Lane ...

 

PAT HIGGINS, BOYLE PUBLICAN

In February 1858,  Patrick Higgins of the town of Boyle was already a publican with his own premises.  On 3 February 1858, the same Patrick Higgins applied to take over Michael McGowan's publican's licence (transfer approved).  On 5 October 1859, Patrick Higgins of Chapel Lane, Boyle, applied for the renewal of his "licence to sell Beer, Cider or Spirits". [Petty Court Records]

Chapel Lane (now St. Patrick's Street) in early 19th-century Boyle ran west of the bridge up towards St. Patrick's R.C. chapel (mapped in Griffith's Valuation).  By 1868, Chapel Lane had been renamed. The portion west of Frybrook's Mill Lane was then called "Chapel Street". (By the end of the century, the chapel had been re-purposed as St. Patrick's Hall). The portion east of Frybrook's Mill Lane simply became an extension of "Eaton Lane".

HIGGINS OF CHAPEL LANE (Mocmoyne townland)

In 1857, at the time of Griffith's Valuation, #42 Chapel Lane was registered in the name of Thomas Higgins (1798–1867). This end-of-terrace building (no longer extant) was located at the top of the lane (just past the chapel, opposite the bend in the river). Today, this section is farmland, but the view of the river remains! 

Honor Higgins who was married to Pat Egan of Chapel Lane, godparents for Patrick Higgins & Ellen McDermottroe in 1859. She was Patrick's sister. (Michael Leonard appears as a godparent for both couples). Her siblings were: Mary Higgins m. Martin Connell,  and Brigid Higgins. 

THOMAS HIGGINS OF CHAPEL LANE

Thomas Higgins (1798–1867) of Chapel Lane died a widower. The informant was Mary Comer. His occupation at the time of death was "servant". A Brigid Higgins (1808-1850) who died at Chapel Lane in 1850 was possibly his wife.

Margaret Higgins (1814–1864) of Chapel Lane, widow, was the relict of M. Higgins (probably Myles Higgins & Margaret Grehan).

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c.f. Thomas Higgins (1797–1872) of Aghagowla, landholder, was survived by his wife. His sons were "carriers", or delivery men (drivers of a horse and car). 

I've updated Patrick Higgins' profile with more leads for you.

Rua

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